Feature Request: Associate files with pictures

[David Veeneman]

I use GPicSync to document hikes that I do. I create a KML/KMZ file
from the tracklog and pictures that I take, using GPicSync.

My camera lets me record short voice memos to go along with my
pictures. If I record a memo, it is saved with the same name as the
picture. For example, the voice memo for DSCF3029.JPG would be named
DSCF3029.WAV.

I would like to be able to associate these memo files with my pictures
in Google Earth, so that when I display the picture, the accompanying
text will include a link to the voice memo. Click the link to hear the
memo. I have created associations manually by adding <a> tags to the
Placemark elements of a few pictures, and it appears to work fine.

Would it be possible to add this feature to GPicSync? In other words,
if my pictures folder has some non-picture files with the same base
names as picture files, create links between the pictures and their
associated files?

Thanks for your consideration, and thanks again for GPicSync!

David Veeneman

[terrypin]

Neat idea David, I'd like that too, so hope Francois will consider it.

I don't have such a memo-recording facility on my Canon Ixus 60, but I
could either use its video feature (AVI, using a lot of storage), or
pull out my iPAQ 2210 Pocket PC and record on that. I'm trying to make
family DVDs of major walks (e.g. Thames Path) and am frustrated by
being unable to identify a time or place.

Arising from this discussion - which I now realise is straying OT,
sorry! - do you keep *all* files related to a walk/hike in your photos
folder? Right now I'm wondering how best to organise, with related
files from GE kml, GE screenshots, GPS Utility files downloaded from
my Garmin GPS 12, Memory-Map overlay files, GPX files from various
sources, screen captures from my browser, etc...

BTW, presumably discussions about feature request should be here in
the forum, rather than in the Issues page at
http://code.google.com/p/gpicsync/issues/list?can=1&q=
although I do also see some there too?

--
Terry, West Sussex, UK

[francois...@gmail.com]

On May 23, 12:18 am, David Veeneman <dcvchic...@gmail.com> wrote:

> Would it be possible to add this feature to GPicSync? In other words,
> if my pictures folder has some non-picture files with the same base
> names as picture files, create links between the pictures and their
> associated files?
>

Hello David,

Yes I think it is a very interesting feature.

If possible could you send me one of your example so I can see how you
display it and test it (I will also probably generate a thumbnail for
GE but bigger than for GMaps to have some space for the comments and
other possible links).
I'm also interested to know which camera you use and if you think the
audio quality is good (I definitely would like this kind of feature
next time I buy a camera even if it is possible to use another
external device).

It shouldn't be a problem to add this feature soon.

Thanks!

francois

[francois...@gmail.com]

On May 23, 10:42 am, terrypin <terry...@dial.pipex.com> wrote:

> I don't have such a memo-recording facility on my Canon Ixus 60, but I
> could either use its video feature (AVI, using a lot of storage),

Good idea, I'm in a similar case, I will probably add also a video
link if an appropriate file is present. Geo localizing a video
through a picture :)

francois

or
> pull out my iPAQ 2210 Pocket PC and record on that. I'm trying to make
> family DVDs of major walks (e.g. Thames Path) and am frustrated by
> being unable to identify a time or place.
>
> Arising from this discussion - which I now realise is straying OT,
> sorry! - do you keep *all* files related to a walk/hike in your photos
> folder? Right now I'm wondering how best to organise, with related
> files from GE kml, GE screenshots, GPS Utility files downloaded from
> my Garmin GPS 12, Memory-Map overlay files, GPX files from various
> sources, screen captures from my browser, etc...
>
> BTW, presumably discussions about feature request should be here in

> the forum, rather than in the Issues page athttp://code.google.com/p/gpicsync/issues/list?can=1&q=

[David Veeneman]

In my reply to François, I describe how I use an Olympus WS-100 voice
recorder to record voice memos. As to archiving, I keep my original
hike photos in a separate filing system. I generated reduced-size
photos (about 640 x 480) for the KMZ file, to keep the file size
small. I store the KMZ and the GPX files in a folder in my 'Hikes'
filing system.

[David Veeneman]

I will send the sample file separately to your email address. I use a
Fuji FinePix S-5000, which is a couple of years old. It allows a 30-
second voice memo, which it saves in WAV format. Voice quality is
quite good. It gives the voice memo the same base name as its
associated picture file.

I am also using an Olympus WS-100 voice recorder. I find it a bit more
convenient to use than the camera's voice memo feature, since I don't
have to use the camera's menu system to get to the voice memo feature.
Also, it records in WMA format, which provides good sound quality in a
smaller file size. After I complete a hike, I copy the WMA files to my
photos folder and rename the WMA file to match its associated photo. I
will probably write a small utility to simplify that process some
weekend soon.

[David Veeneman]

[David Veeneman]

> If possible could you send me one of your example so I can see how you
> display it and test it (I will also probably generate a thumbnail for
> GE but bigger than for GMaps to have some space for the comments and
> other possible links).

I have uploaded a file, Sample.kmz, to the file area. I created this
file from the track for a recent hike. I added a couple of pictures
from the hike and several WMA voice memos that I recorded on the hike,
which I renamed to match their associated pictures.

I realized when I was uploading the file that the HREF tags in the KML
file are hard-coded to my file system. So the audio files won't play
unless the HREFs are changed. However, the KML file will give a
general idea of what I have tried.

Cheers!

[francois schnell]

Ok I've added the feature to the code (SVN) and I'll probably make a
release tomorrow evening West European time (time to sleep here)

A quick sreenshot:
http://www.flickr.com/photo_zoom.gne?id=511346818&size=l

The feature is added for both Google Earth and Google Maps export:

If a file is having the same name as a picture and:

If the extension is in [".mp3",".wma",".ogg",".wav"] there is a link
"Play Audio" below the picture

If the extension is in [".wmv",".mov",".avi"] there is a link "Play Video"

if the extension is in ".txt" the content is added to the description
(you can have html tags in this txt file)

I can add other extensions if needed or wanted.

In addition to that I plan to have latter the option to automatically
geolocalize video and audio file which have a Date/Time original tag
in their metadata (It is the case with the video produced by my
cybershot). So with this option I'll add two specific placemarks with
a sound and video icon (so GPicSync wouldn't just geolocalize pictures
but also video and sounds if the time of the device is synchronized).

I've just seen that RoboGeo has some sound feature but I've never
tried them. If anyone here tried it, it would maybe be interesting to
have some feedback.

Cheers

francois

--
Francois Schnell
http://francois.schnell.free.fr

[David Veeneman]

Ganz toll!